TuneFreq vs Tidal
Sell and own vs stream-only. Artist revenue, listener ownership.
Section 01
Tidal positions itself as artist-friendly streaming with higher per-stream payouts. TuneFreq is different: a marketplace where artists sell and fans own. If you're an artist weighing streaming revenue vs direct sales, or a listener who wants to own high-quality music and support artists directly, here's how we compare.
Section 02
TuneFreq: You keep 95% of every sale. We take 5%. On your first $5,000 in revenue, we take 0% (launch incentive). Payment processing is separate—typically around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Fans buy once and own the music forever in the format you offer (FLAC, WAV, MP3).
Tidal: Artists are paid per stream; Tidal often cites higher rates than some competitors (e.g. in the ballpark of $0.012–$0.015 per stream, though rates vary by region and deal). There is no direct sale; listeners subscribe. No ownership for the listener.
Why both? Use Tidal for streaming reach and discovery. Use TuneFreq to sell downloads and physicals—one sale can equal hundreds of streams in artist revenue, and fans get to own the files.
Section 03
| Feature | TuneFreq | Tidal |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership (listener) | Yes—buy once, keep forever | No—streaming only, no ownership |
| Revenue model (artist) | Per sale: you keep 95% (0% first $5k) | Per stream; higher than many streamers, rates vary |
| Audio quality | FLAC, WAV, MP3 320—your choice | HiFi / Master quality streaming |
| Listener cost | One-time purchase or free demo | Subscription |
| Direct artist support | Yes—fans buy from you, leave notes | No—revenue flows via licensing |
| Discovery | Community radio, stories, liner notes | Curated playlists, editorial |
Section 04
Adding TuneFreq alongside Tidal gives you a place to sell. You don't migrate from Tidal—you add TuneFreq as a storefront. Fans who want to own your music (including lossless) can buy here. Sign up as an artist, upload your music (bulk upload supported), set your prices, and share your artist page. See For Artists and Compare for more.